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Pursuing what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their storied history, the New Zealand side have traveled to Europe at an pivotal moment.

Fixtures against Ireland, Scotland, England and the Welsh team await the New Zealand team across the next four weekends but, quite aside from the chance to equal the teams of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the annals of rugby, the fixtures will be used as a benchmark to assess the development of the team under a head coach now 24 months into from taking up the reins.

Team Issues

Doubts over a lack of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over team picks and departures from the backroom staff have all contributed to the perception that the best-known side in the game is presently one in a state of flux.

Most significantly, it is the drop in outcomes from a past excellence set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has caused some to suggest that we have transitioned away of the age of New Zealand dominance.

Past Performance

Before their departure for the northern hemisphere, it was confirmed that next year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will face the Springboks in a summer series termed 'an unprecedented series'.

Historically the sport's top competitors, there is little doubt over who has currently outperformed of what marketers have labeled 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

Over the past seven years, the South African team have secured a pair of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a tour against the northern hemisphere selection to be viewed as the team of their era.

New Zealand have maintained to defeat Ireland when it counts most, defeating Saturday's opponents in the tournament knockout stages of 2019 and '23. They have, at the same time, lost just two of the recent encounters with the English team, have beaten Wales in all matches since 1963 and have remained unbeaten by the Scottish team.

Changing Dynamics

But the loss of their status as the game's gold standard will continue to rankle.

Although the All Blacks excelled through the previous decade - securing eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as claiming the Webb Ellis on several instances - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be seen as when the competitive landscape changed in the world sport.

New Zealand overcame South Africa in their initial fixture of the championship in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were finally victorious in Yokohama.

Since then, the New Zealand's winning percentage has dropped to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves were defeated in ten of their following games but, since the start of 2023, have achieved victory at a frequency (eighty-three percent) to rival even the former Kiwi champions.

Recent Encounters

Over the equivalent timeframe, the Springboks have won the majority of the seven meetings between the sides, including success in the latest global tournament decider.

During their pursuit of their latest continental championship, the Springboks delivered a significant beating on the All Blacks through 36 unanswered second-half points in their home ground, a result which has sparked another series of debate regarding the direction of the squad under Robertson.

Perhaps most concerning for followers of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their usual power, South Africa's success has come with an offensive flair more commonly connected with their opposition team.

Team Identity

At the time that the All Blacks were at the zenith of their abilities 10 years ago, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of dismantling rivals from every section of the field and at any point of the game.

Now, their attacking style is unclear as Robertson, who has awarded 19 debuts during his recent tenure in command, tries to initially build the more prosaic foundations of a winning team.

It has already been confirmed that the supporting manager overseeing offense, Jason Holland, will leave his role after the upcoming matches, becoming the second member of Robertson's ticket to leave after previous staff member departed last year after just five Tests.

Performance Gap

It was not merely previous achievements, but his style, that was expected to carry over from previous club when he assumed control after the recent tournament but, as yet, both remain a work in progress.

Organizational Strategy

Following investment group investors acquired shares in All Blacks in the past, the subsequent announcement discussed the "quest of worldwide growth" for the team.

That objective has possibly been more difficult by the shortage of a international celebrity. Their key player and the trio of family members are still household names in the game, but the concentration of stars has never been spread wider. Their leader is the single All Black to earn World Player of the Year in the past six seasons, in comparison to 10 in multiple seasons between the mid-2000s.

Global Expansion

Rather, initiatives have been made to introduce the New Zealand team into previously untapped markets.

The opening phase of this European campaign brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a return to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team secured a landmark success in the fixture during past tours.

After the reduction of health protocols, the New Zealand team have furthermore